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Enjoy thE grEat

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Sports and Adventures Programpage 8

The laTesT rehabiliTaTion news and advances from Carolinas rEhabilitation

summEr/Fall 2011

inspiring patiEntsCarolinas Rehab physician lives life to its fullestpage 2

baCk in balanCE Putting evidence-based strategies to workpage 5

2 | www.carolinasrehabiliTaTion.org

to do most everything else unassisted.

Dr. Lieberman and his family are an

inspiration not only to his patients, but also

to everyone they encounter. He proves to

his patients that life continues after a life-

altering injury, every single day.

him graduate on time in May 2004.

That summer, Dr. Lieberman began

his residency in internal medicine at east

Carolina University. During that time, he

realized he wanted to help people who

suffered spinal cord injuries. Dr. Lieberman

completed his residency at Carolinas

Rehabilitation and a spinal cord injury

fellowship at the University of pittsburgh

Medical Center. He returned to Carolinas

Rehabilitation in March 2010, as a junior

faculty member with a research fellowship.

a busy and rEwarding liFE

Dr. Lieberman and Michelle were

married in 2004, and have twins, a boy

and a girl, who are their No. 1 priority.

Currently, Dr. Lieberman is seeing

patients and working on numerous

research projects. (See Leading the way

in clinical research.) He makes patient

rounds with the help of his nurse assistant,

Karen Harman. except for some aspects of

physical examination, Dr. Lieberman is able

RaRely do Rehabilitation patients

encounter a physician who can truly say,

“I know what you’re going through.”

Jesse a. Lieberman, MD, a physiatrist with

Carolinas Rehabilitation, is one of the few

physicians who can. He can also tell many

of his patients that there is life after spinal

cord injury, and his accomplishments are a

testament to that fact.

as a young man, Dr. Lieberman knew

he wanted to pursue a medical degree.

He focused on science courses in high

school and received a zoology degree

from North Carolina State University in

1999. He went on to study medicine at

Wake Forest University.

One winter day in February 2003,

everything changed when Dr. Lieberman

fell three stories from his balcony while

trying to help a neighbor who was locked

out of her condo. at 5 feet 8 inches and

215 pounds, Dr. Lieberman was just weeks

away from competing in the Mr. North

Carolina bodybuilding contest. The added

muscle from his hobby was crucial to his

survival.

dEtErmination prEvails

Dr. Lieberman’s injury resulted in

tetraplegia, or paralysis of the arms,

legs and torso. He spent two weeks in

a hospital and then came to Carolinas

Rehabilitation.

His injury didn’t stop Dr. Lieberman

from living his life. He stayed focused on

the positives: He was still able to become

a doctor, his fiancee Michelle supported

him and he still had some movement in

his shoulders and biceps. He returned

to medical school despite his physician’s

recommendation to take time off. a mere

10 weeks after his injury, Dr. Lieberman

was back in school with the help of a

motorized wheelchair, Michelle, his family

and friends. His determination helped

success STORIeS

Jesse a. lieberman, Md, advises physical Medicine and Rehabilitation resident hyung Kim, Md, during rounds while Karen harman, his nurse assistant, looks on.

real-life inspiration

ON THE COVER: Adaptive kayakers enjoy a day on the water (l-r): Rod Spence, Johnny Ragland, Doug Luther, Erin Kuehn, Damon Myers and Nick Burnham

offer hope!Join us in helping our patients

by supporting the rehabilitation

research and education fund.

mail your tax-deductible

contribution to:

rehabilitation research and

education fund

c/o carolinas healthcare

foundation

P.o. box 32861

charlotte, nc 28232-2861

To refer a PaTienT To carolinas rehabiliTaTion, call 704-355-3558 or 1-877-rehab51 | 3

puneet K. aggaRwal, Md, is a graduate of the Medical

College of Virginia. He completed his internship in internal

medicine at the University of Virginia-Roanoke and his residency in

physical medicine and rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine.

He also completed an interventional spine fellowship at Medical

College of Virginia Hospital and the Sheltering arms Spine and

Sport Center. He is board certified in physical medicine and

rehabilitation as well as pain medicine.

Dr. aggarwal is actively involved in the medical community

and presents at national meetings. He’s a member of the american

academy of physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the International

Spinal Injection Society and the american Society of Interventional

pain physicians.

Dr. aggarwal is the director of Carolinas Back & Sports

Specialists, a multidisciplinary program that combines the

services of musculoskeletal-physiatry specialists, board-certified

interventional spine specialists and certified sports medicine

specialty physicians. The practice has nine physicians who see

patients in seven locations.

Soon, the practice will be adding a tenth physician, Thomas

Jackson, MD, who will practice at the new Carolinas Medical

Center-University office opening this fall. Dr. Jackson is the second

interventional spine physiatrist joining Carolinas Back & Sports

Specialists.

“If any of my family members needed an interventional

procedure, I would definitely send them to Dr. aggarwal,” says

Sonya Rissmiller, MD, a physiatrist at Carolinas Back & Sports

Specialists. “He is meticulous, cautious and calm, which gives his

patients peace of mind.”

Dr. aggarwal enjoys spending time with his wife, swimming,

jogging and reading. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing

racquetball, tennis and Ultimate Frisbee.

Physician focusPuneet K. aggarwal, md

leading the way in clinical researchat Carolinas Rehabilitation, research is an

integral part of our clinical care mission and

resident education. Many of our physicians

are actively involved in clinical trials and

research to improve patient function and

community participation, while increasing

knowledge of how patients recover and

obstacles to recovery.

Jesse a. Lieberman, MD, is one of a

handful of researchers looking at whether

nutrition can help prevent cardiovascular

disease (CVD) in people with spinal cord

injuries (SCIs). His study, “Dietary patterns

and Their Relationship to Cardiovascular

Disease Risk Factors in Individuals with

Chronic Spinal Cord Injury,” investigates

whether certain eating habits, particularly

whole-grain and dietary fiber intake, have

a favorable impact on CVD risk factors in

SCI patients.

These risk factors include:

• blood sugar and insulin levels

• cholesterol levels

• inflammation markers associated

with CVD and hypertension

• waist circumference and body

mass index

To date, 100 participants, ages 38 to

55, are enrolled in the study.

patiEnt rEgistry

Dr. Lieberman, along with colleagues

William L. Bockenek, MD; Michael

J. Kennelly, MD, FaCS; LaTanya D.

Lofton, MD; and William M. Scelza, MD;

started a registry for SCI patients who

are interested in participating in future

studies, including CVD-related research.

For more information, contact Carolinas

Rehabilitation at:

e-mail: [email protected]

Research office: 704-355-1525

physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

department: 704-355-9330

meet our dedicated staff for more information about dr. aggarwal or carolinas back & sports

specialists, visit www.carolinasrehabilitation.org.


“Ben made incredible gains during his

stay,” says Lori grafton, MD, director of

the Brain Injury program. “He was initially

admitted to our emerging Responsiveness

program, where he focused on being

awake and alert, and then moved to our

acute Brain Injury program, where he

practiced standing and walking. Ben’s

progress was accomplished through

the hard work and dedication of many

people, including Ben and his family,

and the physical, occupational and

speech therapists, rehabilitation nurses

and rehabilitation physicians. His family’s

involvement and a willingness to learn

were crucial pieces to Ben’s success.” after

almost two months of therapy and miles of

progress, Ben finally made the journey back

to his home in Wilson, NC.

“Not once was Ben ever treated like

anything but a normal person,” says

his mother. “and I can’t thank the CMC

nurses and doctors enough for that.”

best interests to first receive care at

Carolinas Medical Center (CMC).

The Carolinas Rehabilitation staff and

the Bolivian treatment team carefully

coordinated Ben’s trip back to the United

States. On May 12, Ben was on a flight

from Bolivia to Miami International airport,

where a Carolinas HealthCare System

MedCenter air Team was ready and

waiting to transport him to Charlotte, NC.

“I didn’t think Customs was going

to let Ben through when I got word that

he was on the way,” says MedCenter

air Team Leader Lorri elliot. “It really

was unbelievable and a testament of a

mother’s love and determination to get

her son home,” elliot says.

hElp and support all thE way

Ben was stabilized in CMC’s Neuro

Intensive Care (NIC) unit, where he

remained for several weeks before

transferring to Carolinas Rehabilitation.

on apRil 10, ben Mauzé was

seriously injured in a mountain bike

accident in La paz, Bolivia. To reduce brain

swelling and save his life, Ben underwent

emergency surgery in La paz. Luckily, back

home in North Carolina, Ben’s grandmother

had consulted with Shilpa Kasuganti, MD,

one of Carolinas Rehabilitation’s physicians,

to get her recommendation about

where Ben should go for rehabilitation.

Dr. Kasuganti knew that Carolinas

Rehabilitation, a traumatic brain injury

model system, was the best place for him.

a wEll-ExECutEd plan

While Ben was receiving treatment

in La paz, Carolinas Rehabilitation

physicians decided that transferring him

to a hospital closer to home would ensure

that he was medically ready to participate

in an intensive rehabilitation program.

Carolinas Rehabilitation’s team of experts

recommended that it would be in Ben’s

bringing ben homehow uncompromising care and teamwork helped a man who was injured abroad

ben Mauzé and the dedicated care team that helped him recover from a traumatic brain injury

of teamwork at our hospital,” says

peter M. Cassidy, FaCHe, administrator

of Carolinas Rehabilitation-Mount

Holly. “It’s a privilege to care for and

rehabilitate people after illness or

injury … and to do so at Carolinas

Rehabilitation-Mount Holly. Top

performance means that everyone is

bringing his or her ‘a’ game to work

every day. excellence is palpable from

the moment you come through the front

door. I feel honored to be a part of this

dedicated team.”

for overall quality of care.

Carolinas Rehabilitation also earned

two 5-Star awards, placing those

services in the top 10 percent of pRC’s

nationwide database. These are:

• 5-Star award (Carolinas

Rehabilitation-Mount Holly)

• 5-Star award (Carolinas

Rehabilitation-Monroe; outpatient

therapy)

“Winning a third consecutive Top

performer award is a great honor for our

entire team and speaks to the culture

FoR the thiRd yeaR

in a row, Carolinas

Rehabilitation-Mount

Holly has been named

a 2011 Top performer

for Overall Quality of

Care. The facility is the

only rehabilitation hospital in the nation

to receive this award from professional

Research Consultants (pRC). The Top

performer award is pRC’s highest honor

and is only presented to facilities that

are ranked in the top 100th percentile

back in balancePreventing falls and serious injury

treatment strategies for improving

balance and reducing falls. Treatment

strategies include a comprehensive

patient assessment and identification

of fall risk factors. Individual treatment

plans are developed to help patients

improve balance and reduce their fall

risks, along with providing instruction

in fall prevention strategies. The

program includes computerized balance

testing and training, patient follow-up

and monitoring after discharge and

group exercise programs for skills

maintenance.

Carolinas Rehabilitation also takes

a proactive role in educating the

community by providing home-safety

tips, suggestions for lifelong exercise

and activities to improve balance.

Specialty trained physical therapists

speak to community groups, local

YMCas, medical providers, employers

and others about the importance of fall

prevention. Some falls can be prevented

with physical training, education and

modifications to the home setting.

each yeaR, one in eveRy thRee

adults ages 65 and older falls, according

to the Centers for Disease Control and

prevention. Falls are the most common

cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital

trauma admissions—more than car

accidents or traumatic injuries. Common

health problems that can increase the

likelihood of falling include:

• environmental hazards in the home

• fluctuating blood pressure

• foot problems

• problems with walking or moving

around

• taking four or more medications

• vision problems

hElping thosE at risk

Carolinas Rehabilitation, along with

Healthy@Home, Carolinas HealthCare

System’s home health provider, created

the Better Balance program to prevent

falls and treat patients with high fall risk

in the community.

The Better Balance program uses

the most recent evidence-based


Missy davis, pt, provides

a patient with real-life solutions for

navigating stairs.

carolinas rehabilitation wins Top Performer award

partners in safetycarolinas rehabilitation works

closely with carolinas Trauma

network on ways to prevent falls

in the community.

outpatient SeRVICeS


the WSC. “Some of the staff members

have obtained specialty certification

as assistive technology professionals,

in addition to their therapy licensure,

so clients know that they’ll receive the

highest level of care. Specialists work

collaboratively with the patient, his

or her family and other healthcare

providers to restore quality of life to

our community.”

The clinic assists pediatric and adult

patients with diagnoses such as spinal

cord injury, acquired brain injury, multiple

sclerosis, parkinson’s disease, post-polio

syndrome, developmental disabilities,

cerebral palsy, arthritis, amputation,

COpD and stroke.

individual. Staff members use computer-

ized pressure mapping for evaluation of

pressure relief techniques and cushion

selection. During follow-up appoint-

ments for fitting new equipment, patients

receive education about appropriate

propulsion and positioning. Those who

choose Carolinas Rehabilitation for their

wheelchair needs have access to the lat-

est seating and positioning technologies.

The highly trained staff is knowledgeable

about available equipment, area vendors

and suppliers and necessary documenta-

tion needed for insurance authorization.

a rEsourCE For patiEnts

“The clinic is an excellent resource

to ensure that Carolinas Rehabilitation

provides a comprehensive assessment of

our clients’ needs,” says Calvin Hung, pT,

MHa, director of physical Therapy and

the wheelchaiR seating clinic

(WSC) at Carolinas Rehabilitation is one

of the only full-time seating clinics in

the Carolinas. Staffed by experienced

occupational and physical therapists,

WSC provides specialized evaluations

for complex medical equipment such

as power wheelchairs, custom manual

wheelchairs, adaptive strollers, car seats

and custom bathing equipment.

pErsonalizEd sErviCEs

This specialty trained therapy team

provides patients with convenient, coor-

dinated and comprehensive healthcare.

The interdisciplinary treatment team

collaborates with local and regional

equipment vendors who provide patients

with short-term and loaner wheelchairs.

The staff evaluates and designs

mobility devices and equipment based

on a comprehensive assessment of the

patient’s upper and lower extremity range

of motion, pelvic and spinal alignment,

muscle tone and strength, sensation,

pressure mapping and skin integrity, as

well as the patient’s home environment

and activities of daily living.

WSC provides specialized services

to assess the patient’s needs and deter-

mine the most appropriate chair for the

seating goes high-techProviding patients with comprehensive

evaluations and education about mobility devices

we’re here for youfor more information about

the wheelchair seating clinic

or to schedule an appointment,

call 704-355-4440 or visit

www.carolinasrehabilitation.org/

seatingclinic.

cathy lees, Mha, Ms, oRt/l, reviews a patient’s computerized pressure mapping results, which will be used to fit her for a wheelchair.


aRt as theRapy is used in

hospitals to bridge a gap in communi-

cation between patients and therapists.

Through the use of drawing, painting,

sculpting and other art forms, patients

are able to express certain feelings,

conflicts or problems that are otherwise

incommunicable.

Carolinas Rehabilitation’s art as therapy

program, Creative expressions, is directed

by art volunteer Lisa Underwood and

recreational therapist Bianca anthony, LRT/

CTRS. as another element in the healing

process, the program helps patients

develop fine motor skills, cope with their

medical prognoses and express their

feelings. patients also gain confidence

from the support of their peers.

a hEaling EnvironmEnt

Underwood has volunteered at

Carolinas Rehabilitation since 2009. She

holds a bachelor’s degree in science and

textile design and works in the interior

design field. She also teaches private art

lessons to adults and children who are

coping with debilitating diseases or life-

altering events. Her passion is bringing

awareness of the therapeutic aspects of

art to the medical setting. Underwood’s

focus at Carolinas Rehabilitation has been

to generate a creative environment of

healing and communication. She feels

that communication flows when people

immerse themselves in creative activities.

adapting to patiEnts’ nEEds

Our patients are a diverse group.

Some suffer from chronic diseases; some

are facing changes in their lives following

traumatic brain injury, accidental and non-

accidental trauma or spinal cord injury;

and others are adapting to end-of-life

diagnoses. as she provides recreational

therapy, anthony works around perceived

encouraging expression through art

barriers resulting from such injuries and

illnesses. For example, she uses adaptive

equipment for spinal cord injury patients

who have trouble using their hands. Straps

and special art supplies, such as head

sticks for painting, are available for those

who thought they wouldn’t be able to

participate in the program.

Finding thEir passion

patients who participate in Creative

expressions are encouraged to explore

their feelings and use art as a mode of

expression, while working in a positive

setting. patient projects include drawings,

painting with watercolors and acrylics,

macramé pieces, collages and mandalas.

One of the group’s standout pieces is a

large collage in which pieces of patients’

artwork were put together to form the

Tree of Life.

Through this art program, our patients

have found an underlying passion,

self-confidence and a therapeutic form

of communication. Underwood and

anthony have collaborated to develop

a unique support group here at Carolinas

Rehabilitation that not only helps our

patients, but also their families and

loved ones.

volunteers are key to the success of this unique program

» creative expressions members enjoy their time with art

volunteer lisa underwood.

the group’s tree of life collage

did you know?creative expressions, the art as

therapy program at carolinas

rehabilitation, meets every

wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m.

join us!if you, or anyone you know,

would be interested in volunteering

for carolinas rehabilitation,

contact volunteer coordinator

erica campagna, at 704-355-0779

or Erica.Campagna@

carolinashealthcare.org.

Copyright © 2011 Carolinas Rehabilitation

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awaRds, accolades & publications HOW TO Reach us

Carolinas rEhabilitation

1100 Blythe Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28203

phone: 1-877-Rehab51 (1-877-734-2251)

e-Mail: [email protected]

visit us online: www.carolinasrehabilitation.org

Calvin Hung, pT, MHa, director of physical Therapy and the

Wheelchair Seating Clinic, is president-elect of the greater

Charlotte Healthcare executives group. as president, Hung

will serve members in the western North Carolina region of this

professional society for healthcare executives.

John Roberts, FaCHe, was elected to a three-year term as the North

Carolina Regent of the american College of Healthcare executives.

Roberts will represent healthcare executives across North Carolina

as well as promote board certification and education for healthcare

leaders at the national level.

William Bockenek, MD, Vu Nguyen, MD, and Sonya Rissmiller, MD,

were voted Charlotte’s Best Doctors by the Charlotte Business

Journal. puneet K. aggarwal, MD, and Sonya Rissmiller, MD, were

voted Charlotte’s Top Doctors by Charlotte Magazine.

Vu Nguyen, MD, authored the second process Improvement

project endorsed by the american Board of physical Medicine

and Rehabilitation, which focuses on stroke rehabilitation and its

management.

Mark alexander Hirsch, MD, a research scientist in the Department

of physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, was one of two american

parkinson’s disease researchers to lecture at this year’s World

Confederation for physical Therapy in amsterdam. He has been

invited to speak about neurorehabilitation at the XIX World

Congress on parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders,

Dec. 11–14, in Shanghai.

by collaboRating with outdooR specialist

Kevin pimental with Mecklenburg County park and Recreation,

the adaptive Sports and adventures program (aSap) offers

adaptive kayaking to our community. participants learn

paddling techniques and take part in a guided tour of

the lake at Latta plantation. adaptive kayaking provides a

chance to enjoy the outdoors while making new friends and

reconnecting with old ones. The program is available for

25 adults with physical disabilities one Friday each month

throughout the summer. aSap earned a National association

of Counties achievement award in 2010.

adaptive kayaking

Kayaker Rod spence gets a helping hand from neil elam with Mecklenburg county park and Recreation.

get paddling!for more information about kayaking or other adaptive sports and adventures Program activities, contact us at [email protected] RESIDENCY PROGRAM

To refer a PaTienT To carolinas rehabiliTaTion, call 704-355-3558 or 1-877-rehab51

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